We hear you

Boiling Point Editorial BoardJanuary 28, 2020

On Sunday, the world lost a basketball superstar whose legacy has inspired the next generation of basketball players. The Boiling Point decided to post a compilation of reflections on Kobe Bryant’s loss, and invited students and faculty to write personal reminiscences on what Kobe meant to them.

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We understand just how inextricably linked Kobe’s legacy is to the hearts of many people. His sudden death — along with the death of his daughter and seven others — has provoked a mainstream emotional and sentimental response. It follows that many writers used the opportunity to reflect on the more positive elements of his Kobe’s legacy, including his larger-than-life persona and presence on and off the court, and how he connected to their lives.

However, Kobe’s legacy is more complex than this. One submission included an opinion that touched upon rather regrettable events in Kobe’s life.

After the events of the last 24 hours, we realize that it simply hurt too much for many of our readers to have positive memorials for their childhood hero and, in the same story, another valid reflection that took a far different approach to his legacy. So we have decided to publish that piece separately from the other tributes, in its own separate space in both the Opinion and Sports sections.

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Though this will perhaps have the effect of highlighting it more — by giving it its own headline and web page instead of having it as one of 10 favorable pieces — it still allows the Boiling Point to represent an all-encompassing view of Kobe’s life.

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The Boiling Point is founded on the values of expressing not only the majority view, but also dissenting opinions. As is stated in the Talmud (Masechet Eduyot 1:5), rabbinic tradition is to record the minority opinion while still following the majority. Our paper supports the article that we published and have every intention of continuing to collect similar minority views.

This decision is not an effort to bend to the whims of those would would rather no negative thoughts on Bryant’s legacy be shared. Rather we are doing this as a service to those who are suffering right now. Despite this, we encourage everyone who is able to engage in dialogue at this time to discuss Kobe’s legacy deeper than just praise.